ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Lady Rangers closed out the season series sweep over Southwestern Oklahoma State following the 72-48 victory. Northwestern led the whole way after a 10-0 run to start the game and a dominating opening quarter 24-10. Northwestern outscored the Bulldogs as well in the second half 43-29 to only extend the lead further.
Northwestern improves to 21-4 with a 13-4 conference record. The win was head coach Tasha Diesselhorst 100th career victory with the Rangers.Â
The Lady Rangers had a balanced attack having nine different players to score led by Faith Simpson and Carly Craig each with 17 points. Craig finished with a high of six steals while Simpson and Josena Frame added three each. Northwestern forced 22 turnovers in the win. Simpson finished with her sixth double double of the season after adding a game high 11 rebounds.
Northwestern got started early in this one with an opening possession layup off a cut from Josena Frame assisted by Faith Simpson for an early 2-0 lead. Payton Jones scored the next four points for the Lady Rangers as Northwestern kept the pressure on the Bulldogs. The lead stretched out to 10-0 after Simpson scored four straight. Southwestern got their first points about four minutes of action in the first quarter. Josena Frame hit a three pointer to push it back over double digits. Northwestern grew their largest lead at the end of the quarter as Summya Adigun finished a layup at the buzzer assisted by Simpson. The Lady Rangers led 24-10 after the opening quarter.Â
Faith Simpson ended a two minute scoring drought for both teams to start the second quarter with a jump shot for a 26-10 Lady Ranger lead, the largest to that point in the game. A 9-0 run by Southwestern Oklahoma State cut the deficit back under double digits for the first team since the opening quarter at 26-17. Following three straight points from Talayah Thomas the Lady Rangers were back with a double digit lead at halftime closing out a defensive second quarter where the two teams combined four 14 points. Northwestern led 29-19 after two quarters of play.Â
The two teams traded three pointers in the opening minutes of the second half Carly Craig answering the call for the Lady Rangers keeping the lead at 10. Nikya Orange kept the momentum in favor of the Lady Rangers scoring the next five points for Northwestern pushing the lead to 14 at 41-27 as the Lady Rangers went on a 7-0 run. Carly Craig and Faith Simpson combined for the next 9 points as the Northwestern lead grew to 48-27 with two minutes remaining in the third quarter as the Lady Ranger run was 14-2 overall and 11-0 in that stretch. Southwestern grabbed the last basket of the quarter with a layup from Hailey Grant as Northwestern held a 52-33 lead over the Bulldogs through three quarters of play.Â
Carly Craig hit back to back three pointers to start the fourth quarter for Northwestern as the lead continued to grow for the home team on rivalry night. Northwestern continued to use their defense forcing a total of 22 rebounds total in the game continuing to stretch the lead now at 26 following Simpson's jump shot. Back to back baskets by Josena Frame and Syncere Harrod pushed the lead to the largest of the game at 29 points with 1:28 remaining in the quarter. The final score was the Lady Rangers closing out a 24 point victory at 72-48 over the Bulldogs.Â
Next for the Lady Rangers is a trip to Shawnee, Oklahoma for a Saturday evening game against Oklahoma Baptist. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM against the Bison.
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